Readings and musings

One of the most fun and comprehensive books I've read recently is Guy Kawasaki's classic The Art of the Start.

It was a really fun read and covered all the basics of entrepreneurship I had learned about before but gave them a very succinct, clear structure. It also went through pretty much all the important questions an entrepreneur needs to consider, and I can see how it can serve as a helpful guidebook for preparing business plans, pitches, and actually starting a company.

The book starts with a general introduction speaking about economic cycles. It does this through two metaphors: telescopes and microscopes. When things are going great, everyone looks very far into the future (with an all-seeing telescope) and has high hopes. When things aren't going so great, everyone looks very closely at every minute detail and cost (with a microscope). Entrepreneurs need to be able to do both in appropriate measure.

Ch. 1: Starting

Make meaning.

Make mantra.

Get going. Polarize people to love or hate your product.

Define your business model.

Weave a MAT: Milestones, Assumptions, and Tasks. This is your action plan to keep you going.

Ch. 2: Positioning

Niche, not broad appeal

Pick a good name.

Make your value proposition personal.

Ch. 3: Pitching

10/20/30 rule: 10 slides, 20 minutes, 30 point font

Good information is listed in the book on the exact slides necessary for investor, sales, and partner pitches